Ask The Rabbi
23 May 1998 
Issue #193 
===========================================================================
This publication is available in HTML format at
http://www.ohr.org.il/ask/ask193.htm
===========================================================================
Researched at Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem
This Issue Contains:
1. Threads are Red		4. Sabbath in the Sun
2. Diabetes on Yom Kippur	5. Yiddle Riddle 
3. Olive Branch of Peace	6. Public Domain
===========================================================================


_______Threads Are Red___________

Moshe from Silver Spring, MD <hdi@radix.net> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

I have seen some people wearing red threads or strings around their wrist 
and even necks.  Is there any source for this, or is it "superstition?"  
Thanks..

Aytan Ben-Pelech from Australia <gcn@wantree.com.au> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

Recently I was in Jerusalem and when I visited the Kotel I was approached 
by a woman who tied a red string around my hand and said a blessing.  I 
have asked numerous people for an explanation and I have received just as 
many different answers. Perhaps you can help.

Name@Withheld wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

Could you please explain to me the history of  the red bendel.  I received 
one recently from a friend that had traveled to the Wall.  What does it 
mean when the bendel falls off your wrist?

*******************

Dear Moshe, Aytan Ben-Pelech and Name@Withheld,

	One of the items necessary for the building of the Holy Sanctuary was 
red thread.  The dye for the red thread came from a type of worm.  Rabbi S. 
R. Hirsch points out that the worm was the lowliest form of life, and yet 
it was intrinsic to the building of the Sanctuary.

	The red string is thought by some to ward off the "evil eye."  Rabbi 
Eliyahu Dessler explains the "evil eye" as follows:  If a person is blessed 
with good fortune and he becomes haughty as a result, this might arouse 
jealousy in others.  In this sense, his good fortune is negative.  This 
calls his good fortune into question and may cause him to be re-judged in 
Heaven.

	The red thread, reminiscent of the lowly worm, can be seen as 
protection against this.  Each time a person looks at the string he is 
reminded that a person is really as lowly as a worm.  This humility is the 
ultimate weapon against the "evil eye."

	Having said that, many great Rabbis frown upon it.

	What does it mean when it falls off the wrist?  It is an extremely 
significant sign:  It signifies that it was not tied on properly.

Sources:
. Michtav M'Eliyahu V.4 pp. 5-6


___________Diabetes on Yom Kippur___________

Mom@<Address_Withheld> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

My 15 year old daughter was just diagnosed with diabetes.  One of her first 
thoughts was, "Now I won't be able to fast on Yom Kippur."  I assured her 
she would find other ways of fulfilling that spiritual purpose.  I would 
appreciate suggestions for her.  Thank you.

******************

Dear Mom,

	Even though some people with diabetes don't fast on Yom Kippur some 
do.  Before Yom Kippur you and your daughter should consult with a 
competent doctor and with an Orthodox Rabbi.

	The Rambam writes that the major purpose of fasting is repentance, 
returning to a more spiritual life.  Not being able to fast, however, does 
not preclude the possibility of repentance.  According to the Rambam, 
repentance involves three stages:  Regret, verbal admission of the sin in 
prayer, and commitment not to repeat the sin in future.
Just as it is a mitzvah for a healthy person to fast, it is a mitzvah for 
your daughter to preserve her health.

Sources:
. Mishneh Torah Hilchot Ta'anit 5:1

___________Olive Branch of Peace___________

Barry Pogrund from Cape Town, South Africa <bgw@iafrica.com> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

We often talk about the dove and the olive branch as symbols of peace.  Is 
there any Talmudic source for such a notion, and if not from where do we 
arrive at the contention that the dove and the olive branch are symbols of 
peace?  Many thanks for your wonderful and elucidating series.

*******************

Dear Barry Pogrund,

	There's no reference in the Talmud identifying the dove or olive 
branch as symbols of peace. 

	However, Noah's flood is compared to a "war" between G-d and Mankind.  
This idea is seen in the symbol of the rainbow.  After the flood, G-d 
showed Noah a rainbow as a sign that there would never again be a world-
wide flood.  The rainbow looks like an archer's bow pointing up towards 
heaven.  The Ramban explains that the "upside-down bow" symbolizes that G-d 
will no longer "shoot arrows" at the earth in the form of a flood, just as 
a warrior turns his bow towards himself as a gesture of peace.

	In this sense, the dove returning to the ark could be seen as peace 
symbols, indicating that the "war" between G-d and Man had ended.

	By the way, the "olive branch" is a misconception.  The dove returned 
to Noah with an olive leaf in its mouth, not a branch.

Sources:
. Ramban, Genesis 9:12

___________Sabbath in the Sun___________

Asher Breatross <ash@interlog.com> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

Is it permissible to spread sun screen lotion on oneself and on a child on 
Shabbat?  Take care and have a nice day.

********************

Dear Asher Breatross,

	Memare'ach -- smoothing -- is prohibited on Shabbat.  This applies 
only to creams or lotions which have the consistency of thick oil.  If your 
lotion has this consistency, then it's forbidden to use it on Shabbat.  But 
if your lotion is very "liquidy" then it is permitted.  (Since it's not 
clear exactly what the proper consistency is, one should only use a very 
liquid lotion.)

Sources:
. Shulchan Aruch 314:11

===========================================================================

Yiddle Riddle

When is the only time one would say "Av Harachamim" two days in a row?  (Av 
Harachamim is the prayer which, according to the Askenazic custom, is 
generally said on Shabbat before musaf).

Riddle submitted by Dr. Joel Luber, Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem

Answer next week...

===========================================================================

THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Comments, quibbles, and reactions 
concerning previous "Ask-the-Rabbi" features.

Re: Intermarriage (Ohrnet Emor):

After reading your article on intermarriage, I thought it was excellent!  
This, in my opinion, should be circulated throughout the Jewish community.

*********************************

Sandra Block, Scottsdale, Arizona 
<rancher@phnx.uswest.net>

Re: Psalms Author? (Ohrnet Tazria/Metzora):
I very much enjoyed the Parasha Insights for Tazria/Metzora.  But I was 
unhappy with the reply about how King David could write "Shir Hama'alot" 
recited before Birkat Hamazon.  Firstly, Chazal say there were 10 authors 
of the Book of Psalms so it did not have to be King David.

	The suggestion that King David wrote Psalms 126, 137 with prophetic 
insight raises difficulties.  The prophets of Tanach who foresee the 
possible destruction of the Temple always qualify their prophecy with the 
clause "If the children of Israel do not mend their ways."  In the time of 
King David, the situation was much more open, and to suggest that Israel 
would go astray would conflict with their free will.

	There is, however, a really simple solution, suggested by the late 
Rabbi Samuel Mirsky, zatzal.  In Shir HaShirim Rabbah on the verse 
"kemigdal David," the 10 authors listed include Ezra.  If we assume Ezra is 
the author, we have no problem.

Professor Cyril Domb, Jerusalem, via E-mail

Ohrnet Responds:

	Interesting answer.  However, it is implied by Rashi and explicit in 
Tosefot (Bava Batra 14) that King David wrote all 15 of the Shir Hama'alot.

*********************************

Re: Yiddle Riddle explaining "Shemini B'Shemini Shemini Shemini"  (Ohrnet 
Acharei Mos/Kedoshim):

"Shemini B'Shemini" refers to the 1/8 of an 1/8 of ga'avah -- pride -- that 
a talmid chacham may have (Sotah 5a).  "Shemini Shemini" refers to the 
events in Parshas Shemini, wherein Aharon felt unworthy to bring the chatas 
offering.  Moshe told Aharon that he was indeed worthy, and that Hashem had 
chosen Aharon specifically.  In the eighth verse, we are told that Aharon 
heeded Moshe and brought the offering.  This illustrates the pride required 
of a talmid chacham; he must appreciate his own merit and not think himself 
unworthy of proper avodas Hashem (see Maharsha).  Hence, "Shemini 
B'Shemini," an 1/8 of an 1/8, "Shemini Shemini," in the eighth verse of 
Parshas Shemini.
Elimelech Meisels, Jerusalem <tamike@netvision.net.il>

	You answer that Shemini B'Shemini refers to reading Parshat Shemini 
on the 8th day of Pesach.  Couldn't it refer to the first reading, the 
afternoon of the 8th of Nissan, Shabbat HaGadol in such a year?

Lawrence Myers, London <lawrence@lawrm.globalnet.co.uk>

Re: Who first studied Chumash with Rashi (Ohrnet Vayikra):
The reason Rashi needed to write his commentary which concentrates on 
peshat (basic meaning), and such a work was not needed before him, is that 
these things were already known but were in danger of being forgotten.  
That's why there is a Talmud and much of Jewish literature.  So, the Torah 
was always studied with the commentary of Rashi, only not in his name.
	
With bracha from Liverpool (home of the Beatles, B"H)

 Ben Granat <ben_granat_at_wmc__brli@wmcmail.wmc.ac.uk>

Rashi's father wasn't the first person to learn Chumash with "Ra"shi" -- he 
was the first person to learn Chumash with "Shi."

Raphael Harris <atwood@netvision.net.il>

*********************************

Re: Rain on Parade (Ohrnet Acharei Mos/Kedoshim):

I hate to rain on your Parade, but I'm afraid the Parsha Insight Rain On My 
Parade was a distortion of the Chizkuni whom you cite as a source.  You 
write that one who doesn't lend his possessions is "terminally mean," thus 
the Torah doesn't bother to address him.  This is not so.  There are many 
reasonable explanations for not lending an object which preclude the 
designation "mean."  And who said the Torah doesn't talk to evil people?

	What the Chizkuni says is that the first person was not commanded to 
lend, and refused only because of stinginess, not because of hatred.  
(Stinginess may not be so nice, but it is not forbidden.)  The second 
person, however, is not stingy, and would lend his object, but his hatred 
prevents him from doing so.  This is evil, for we are allowing hatred to 
overcome our love.  The Torah thus commands us to lend the object, and have 
our love overcome our hatred.  Thus we spread love in ourselves and the 
world.

Name@Withheld

===========================================================================
You can submit your questions to the "Ask The Rabbi" staff with your web 
browser at: http://asktherabbi.org 
Or to use standard E-Mail, address it to: info@ohr.org.il
To insure correct handling, set the subject to "ASK THE RABBI" 
=========================================================================== 
Did you know that EVERY question EVER published in Ask The Rabbi is
available on-line in an index for easy look-up?
                                 http://www.ohr.org.il/web/index/askidx.htm
===========================================================================

Do you link to us?  Let everyone know about the Ohr Somayach Home Page by
dropping the following text into the HTML document of YOUR home page:

          <A HREF="http://www.ohr.org.il" TARGET="_top">
          The Ohr Somayach International Home Page</A>
=========================================================================== 
                                 SUBSCRIBE!

to one of the many weekly "lists" published by Ohr Somayach Institutions:

      weekly - Summary of the weekly Torah portion
     dafyomi - Rav Mendel Weinbach's insights into the Daf Yomi
         ask - The Rabbi answers YOUR questions on Judaism
  parasha-qa - Challenging questions on the weekly Torah portion
       yossi - Yossi & Co. comic strip in PDF Format
  os-special - All the SPECIAL publications produced by Ohr Somayach
      ohrnet - Torah Weekly, Q&A, Ask the Rabbi & Daf Yomi in PDF Format
     ohrnews - Keep up-to-date with the Ohr Somayach Web Site 
       month - Seasons of the Moon - The Jewish Year through its months
     os-alum - "B'Yachad" - the Ohr Somayach Electronic Alumni Newsletter
    judaismo - Spanish-Language newsletter on the Parsha & Judaism
  judaismo-p - Portuguese-Language newsletter on the Parsha & Judaism

Ohr Somayach NEVER charges for any of the above lists.  
To subscribe, see the page http://www.ohr.org.il/web/sub.htm
Or send the message:  
            subscribe {listname} {your full name} to listproc@virtual.co.il  
===========================================================================
"I'm looking for the E-Mail address of a student at Ohr Somayach..."
 Look no further than:  http://www.ohr.org.il/web/alumni/email.htm
=========================================================================== 
Dedication opportunities are available for Ask The Rabbi.
Please contact us for details.
===========================================================================
Ask The Rabbi is written at
Ohr Somayach Institutions / Tanenbaum College, Jerusalem, Israel.
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Eli Ballon
=========================================================================== 
Prepared by the Jewish Learning Exchange of 
Ohr Somayach International 
22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 
Jerusalem 91180, Israel 
Tel: 972-2-581-0315 Fax: 972-2-581-2890 
E-Mail:  info@ohr.org.il   Home Page:  http://www.ohr.org.il 
=========================================================================== 
(C) 1998 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.
